PhD position in Urban Data Science at the NERDS research group, IT University of Copenhagen

PhD position in Urban Data Science at the NERDS research group, IT University of Copenhagen

The IT University of Copenhagen invites highly motivated individuals to apply for a PhD position starting in 1 January 2024 or soon thereafter.

The IT University's vision is to create and share knowledge that is profound and leads to groundbreaking information technology and services for the benefit of humanity. The Computer Science Department seeks to conduct research and education that are both foundational and have impact on industry and society.

Job description The NERDS group (NEtwoRks, Data, and Society) at the IT University of Copenhagen welcomes applications from aspiring PhD students in the area of Data Science, with focus on sustainable urban mobility and transport infrastructure network analysis.

Project. The project “JUST STREETS - Designing inclusive, safe, affordable and sustainable urban mobility” is funded by the EU (HORIZON). It aims to transform cities' car-centered mobility narratives that take for granted that streets are for motorized traffic only, promoting walking, cycling and other active modes of mobility. To reach this goal, ITU's part of the project will develop algorithmic methods to study low traffic neighborhoods and bicycle/pedestrian networks, and analyze mobility data with focus on safety, for better planning of sustainable mobility.

PI. Michael Szell, Associate Professor in Computer Science at ITU. https:// michael.szell.net/

The team. The NERDS group conducts quantitative research at the intersection of Computational Social Science, Data Science, and Network Science. The group has collaborations with other research groups at ITU, (NLP, Machine Learning, Digital Design), with scholars from other major universities in Copenhagen (KU, DTU), and internationally with universities and research centers in Europe and in the US. The group is a down-to-earth and fun place to work. ITU offers a rewarding and stimulating international environment. Both salary and working conditions are excellent. In Denmark, parental leave is generous, and child-care is exceptional. Find more at: https: // nerds.itu.dk

Main responsibilities • Contribute to the advancement of groundbreaking research with crucial societal implications, in a highly-dynamic and interdisciplinary environment • Publish scientific papers at high-impact journals and top-tier conferences • Collaborate with a team of 30 project partners, including 12 cities representing 4.5 Mio. citizens.

PhD student qualifications (36 months positions) • Master's degree in Complex Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Physics, GIS, or related fields • Strong programming and data analysis skills (focus on Python) • Experience with network science and complex systems approaches. Experience with road or bicycle network analysis is a plus.

General information The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is a teaching and research-based tertiary institution concerned with information technology (IT) and the opportunities it offers. The IT University has more than 160 full-time Faculty members. Research and teaching in information technology span all academic activities which involve computers including computer science, information and media sciences, humanities and social sciences, business impact and the commercialization of IT.

About the Computer Science Department The ITU Computer Science Department conducts research in all aspects of computer science and data science, including algorithms, databases, government IT, machine learning, natural language processing, network science, optimization, programming languages, quantum computing, robotics, security, semantics, software engineering, software verification, type theory, and more, as well as a range of applications. The department has 55 permanent faculty, 65 PhDs and postdocs, as well as other staff. It is responsible for the IT University's most technical education programs BSc Software Development, BSc Data Science, MSc Computer Science, MSc Data Science, and MSc Software Design.

Working at the IT University Located in modern architecture, a 6-minute metro ride from the center of Copenhagen, the IT University offers an informal working environment, a varied everyday life, and a highly motivated, ambitious, competent, and diverse international faculty, with PhD degrees from 17 different countries. The IT University is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself in actively and successfully pursuing an improved gender balance among students and among faculty.

Working in Copenhagen Copenhagen has a solid educational system, a rich cultural life, universal healthcare, good childcare, and well-functioning infrastructure. Copenhagen is among the world's most livable cities according to the Economist Global Liveability Index. Living and working in Copenhagen will be a good experience for you and your family.

Salary and terms of employment Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Taxation's agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and job structure for academic staff at Universities.

Qualification Requirements The following qualifications are required: • 3 year programme: candidates should have a MSc (or equivalent) • 4 year programme: candidates should have a BSc and one year of university studies on Master level

Successful applicants will be employed and enrolled at the ITU University for a period of 3 or 4 years depending on the university degree level of the applicant.

Application The application and all other documents ought to be in English and must include: • A motivated application (cover letter), including a detailed description of your qualifications • A statement of purpose, which provides evidence of independent thinking, novelty and originality, of the targeted research field matching the project description • A full CV, including name, address, phone number, e-mail, previous and present employment and academic background • Documentation of academic degrees (copy of degree certificates etc.) • Applications may also include a relevant scientific publication or/and master thesis written by the applicant • Name and contact information of two professional/academic references

Applications without the above-mentioned required documents will not be assessed.

The applicant will be accessed according to the Appointment Order from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of 13 March 2012.

The IT University may use shortlisting in connection to the recruitment process. In case of shortlisting, the Chair of the hiring committee selects applicants for assessment in consultation with the hiring committee after the application deadline. All applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The shortlisting of candidates for assessment is based on the criteria in the job posting.

Further information Questions about the positions can be directed to Associate Professor, Michael Szell, IT University of Copenhagen, [email protected]. Early contact with our faculty staff is encouraged.

Application procedure You can only apply for this position through our e-recruitment system. Apply by pressing the button "Apply for position" in the job announcement on our website: https:// en.itu.dk/About-ITU/Vacancies

Please read the guidelines for applicants carefully before filling in the application form. You can see the guidelines through this link: https: // en.itu.dk/Research/PhD-Programme/PhD-Positions

Please note that all application material will be destroyed after the assessment.

Application deadline: 18 September 2023, at 23:59 CET/CEST.

Applications/enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration. If you submit an application, it is your responsibility to ensure that it arrives before the deadline so please allow sufficient time for upload of publications and other documents.

The IT University invites all qualified researchers regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation or ethnic background to apply for the positions.

IT University of Copenhagen, Rued Langgaards Vej 7, DK-2300 Copenhagen S

www. itu.dk